Technology firm NewSat plans to hire up to 20 space scientists as part of an expansion of its facility at Mawson Lakes in Adelaide.

The Australian company is preparing to launch a satellite fleet and needs more antennae in Adelaide to support them.

It provides communication services for customers including mining companies and the United States military.

NewSat chief executive Adrian Ballintine said the work on offer was highly technical.

"The world of space and satellites is obviously very technical and there are plenty of people who really want serious meaningful employment as astrophysicists or nuclear physicists and that's what these sorts of opportunities provide," he said.

South Australia's Innovation Minister Tom Kenyon said its ambitious plans were a boon for the state's defence industry.

"It's just a fantastic opportunity for people to be able to work in Adelaide. We will have what will effectively be Houston in Adelaide in its own way," he said.

"It will have people living in Adelaide driving space ships and that's a great thing."

NewSat has been given government-owned land to double the size of its Adelaide facility.

Its neighbour at Mawson Lakes, BAE Systems, is cutting 100 jobs from South Australia as it grapples with reduced defence spending and greater competition.

But Mr Ballintine does not think NewSat's expansion in Adelaide will be derailed by any potential loss of lucrative military contracts.